AFC probes explosive thrown onto field in Iran

Asia's football governing body said it is looking into possible disciplinary action over an incident in which an explosive was tossed on the field during an AFC Champions League match in Iran

Asia's football governing body Monday said it is looking into possible disciplinary action over an incident in which an explosive was tossed on the field during an AFC Champions League match in Iran. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said the match commissioner's report had been forwarded to AFC's legal department for disciplinary investigation. The match ended in a draw. The incident happened on Wednesday during a quarterfinal match between Iran's Foolad Sepahan and Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli. No one was hurt. It happened at Iran's Foolad Shahr Stadium in the 64th minute, forcing the match to be stopped for five minutes. AFC said some objects were thrown by spectators of host club Foolad Sepahan towards the assistant referee near the corner area, including a firecracker. "One of the objects was a firecracker which exploded," AFC said. A video of the incident showed the home team's player Adel Kolahkaj, picking up the object in a relax manner and tossing it outside the pitch near an advertising hoarding. It immediately exploded upon impact with the ground, sending the players and officials running for cover.